Bynum on the mend, eyeing return around All-Star break

PHILADELPHIA – Nonchalantly, Andrew Bynum grabbed a ball Monday and walked to one end of the practice court at PCOM, where he began to engage in shooting drills.

Yes, shooting. And apparently this wasn’t the first time, either.

“Well, first time in front of you guys,” Bynum said with a laugh. “I’ve been on my own, coming back and shooting some shots.

“Time to get ready – ready to play.”

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Absent from the Sixers’ first 38 games, Bynum said he’s pain-free from the bilateral knee bone bruises that have dogged him for months. So he’s started striking tasks from his rehab checklist: Jogging – done it. Running – on an anti-gravity treadmill, at least. Weight-lifting – check. Basketball-related activities – you bet.

Bynum said he’s not getting back into the timetable business, but he’s holding out hope for a return to the floor sooner than most would think.

“I don’t ideally have a date. I just want to get back,” Bynum said. “I think – I’m hoping – around the All-Star break. That’s what I’m hoping.”

Should Bynum debut for the Sixers Feb. 20 at Minnesota – their first game after the All-Star break – the 7-footer theoretically would be available for the final 31 games of the regular season. That might be just enough time to help the Sixers (16-22) pull out of whatever tailspin they’re in at that point.

They’ve struggled to stay afloat without Bynum, playing sub-.500 ball and needing a win Saturday to snap a five-game skid. With a win tonight against visiting New Orleans (11-26), the Sixers would have their first winning streak since Nov. 25-30, when they won three in a row.

But for now, the Sixers are following the same protocol as Bynum: Baby steps.

More good news came when Bynum said he needed only ice following his shooting session.

“We’ve worked all the way down to just ice, so I’m becoming a regular basketball player again,” he said.

Bynum’s 15-minute workout after Monday’s practice featured stationary shooting drills. He took left-handed baby hooks from the baseline and 12-footers from the right side, as well as a healthy dose of free throws. Using assistant coach Michael Curry as his personal rebounder, Bynum even attempted 3-pointers from all spots around the arc.

“I came out today and said I had to get shots up,” Bynum said. “It’s part of the (rehab) stage, and I got a sweat before I got on the court and came out and worked on my touch. I tried to shoot over 80 percent because nobody is guarding me.

“I feel much better, mentally. I wake up today and I’m ready to go and work out, so that’s good, versus the alternative of sitting around all day and just waiting. The waiting is over. The motion is good.”

The Sixers mortgaged their future for immediate gains when they traded for Bynum Aug. 10, 2012. The returns on that deal have been nonexistent. Still, Jrue Holiday viewed it as promising to see Bynum working toward a return to the court. Bynum hasn’t played since May 21, in the Los Angeles Lakers’ season-ending loss in the Western Conference semifinals.

“It’s always good to see Andrew. He’s a workhorse,” Holiday said.” He was in the weight room before (shooting). Always getting treatment, always doing what he has to do to get back on the court. Obviously, that’s inspirational for all of us.”

Bynum’s on-court participation was the first tangible proof that the big man is improving. It’s been a series of health updates, peppered with one or two setback notifications, since he got here.

Improvement or not, there’s still so much that’s unknown.

Bynum said he’s unsure how long he’ll stay in this holding pattern of his rehab. The next step he said would be “linear” shot-taking, where he’s running and catching the ball as opposed to catching and shooting with two feet firmly on the floor. Also, he’s only running with the assistance of an anti-gravity treadmill, which takes a considerable amount of weight from his 300-pound frame off his knees.

But the Sixers likely view any day when Bynum’s on the floor as a good day.

“I have to decide when I’m going to start (the next rehab stage),” he said. “I think we have it pretty much mapped out, but it’s based on me and my body and how I’m feeling. But we’re progressing because I’m not feeling anything. We’ll continue to do that. I’m fine. I don’t get a click. I don’t get any pain. It’s pretty good.”